The aim of this unit is to enable learners to understand how multimedia is used in business and to be able to create multimedia products to meet business needs. The unit involves the use of authoring software and the creative integration of audio and visual material to produce a final product. It is essential that the product is focused on the business needs of the user. Screen design and layout are important but the final functioning interactive media product created for this unit must meet the business objectives and be easy to use and understand.
Learners will develop an understanding of multimedia products through investigations and experimentation. Competent learners should demonstrate that they are able to select and use a wide range of multimedia software tools and techniques.
| Course Code: | NE37 | Fee €350 |
Exam fee:€25 |
| Duration: | Six classes |
Awarding Body |  |
| Start Dates: 2 intakes/yr | January/February | September/October | Next Starts Date: 12/10/2011 |
| Entry Requirement: | Applicants must be a minimum of 18 years old |
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Learning outcomes:
On completion of this unit a learner should:
Unit Content
Understand how multimedia is used to meet business objectives
Multimedia: types eg sound, animation, still and moving images Business requirements: target audience; purpose; platform
Business objectives: promotion and advertising eg web pages, digital posters, virtual tours; education and
training eg simulations, e-learning packages; entertainment and leisure eg computer games, virtual reality
Audience: profiles eg age, gender, culture, race, class, business, interests, IT literacy
Be able to design multimedia products to meet business needs
Multimedia products: interactive eg information points, digital stories, virtual tours; limited interactivity eg
digital posters, adverts, quizzes, movies
Design: features eg content, navigation, mix of digital components, interactivity
Specification: input methods eg keyboard, mouse, voice recognition, touch screen, stylus, digital video or
still camera, microphone; number of pages; features; audience
Content: types eg text, images, graphics, video, sound, animation; interactive features eg transitions,
menus, submenus, buttons, links, pop-ups, video clips, sound clips; legal requirements: acknowledgment
of sources; avoiding plagiarism; permissions; copyright law eg on music downloads, use of images
Design documentation: presentation methods eg storyboards, scripts, flow charts, annotations, visuals,
timelines; layout eg size, frames, orientation, consistency
Be able to develop multimedia products
Combine information: tools eg insert, size, position, wrap, order, group
Edit multimedia products: layout eg size, crop, position, proportion, guides, styles, templates, font, size,
orientation, colour, alignment
File formats: types eg jpg, png, svg, mp3, mpg
Test: review for eg functionality, usability, accessibility, performance, ccompleteness, accuracy; review
against requirements
Quality problems: sound eg noise, volume; images eg levels, contrast, unwanted content; text eg clarity,
spelling, grammar, structure
Be able to present multimedia products
Display: devices eg PC, laptop, mobile device, TV
Display multimedia outcomes: setup eg quarter screen, full screen, thumbnail, screen resolution, data
bandwidth, transmission speeds, output media; constraints eg speed of delivery, size of files, end user
hardware and software configuration
Navigation techniques: click; scroll; menus; submenus
Playback: controls eg start, stop, fast forward, rewind, pause
Settings: visual eg brightness, contrast, screen resolution, colour balance, monochrome; sound eg
volume, treble, bass, balance; animation eg speed
Be able to review multimedia products
Gather feedback: methods eg interview, observation, questionnaire; outcomes eg identify errors, suggest
further enhancements, comment on performance
Test users: representatives of the target audience
Unit Assessment
Assessment takes the form of written assignments, observations, in-class tests, verbal assessment and projects
To gain the unit learners must achieve, as a minimum, the Pass grade; the Pass grade is in effect the gaining of the credit for the unit, and this contributes to the overall qualification grade. All units must be passes within the rules of combination to achieve the overall qualification.
The table below shows the number of points scored per credit at the unit level and grade
| Level | Points per credit | ||
| Pass | Merit | Distinction | |
| 5 | 7 | 8 | 9 |
| 6 | 9 | 10 | 11 |
Learners who achieve the correct number of points within the ranges shown in the 'qualification grade' tables below will achieve the qualification Pass, Merit, Distinction or Distinction* grades (or combinations of these grades appropriate to the qualification).
